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Minnetonka defense thwarts Rosemount comeback bid

By MATT STEICHEN, Special to the Star Tribune, 11/02/18, 9:30PM CDT

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The Skippers, with two second-half interceptions, prevailed 13-10 to end the Irish's season for the second consecutive year.

Minnetonka's Raheem Brown (15) celebrated after his second interception of the second half killed Rosemount's last-minute drive and preserved the Skippers' 13-10 victory. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Minnetonka's Raheem Brown (15) celebrated after his second interception of the second half killed Rosemount's last-minute drive and preserved the Skippers' 13-10 victory. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Minnetonka’s Raheem Brown may want to borrow teammate Garrett Smith’s jersey again next week.

Brown accidentally left his No. 25 white and blue top back at Minnetonka High School on Friday. He took the field for the Skippers’ Class 6A playoff game at Rosemount’s Irish Stadium wearing Smith’s No. 15 and proceeded to make two diving interceptions that helped the Skippers hang on for a 13-10 victory over the Irish.

It’s the second consecutive year the Skippers have put an end to the Irish’s season.

Brown secured his first interception at the 1-yard line late in the third quarter, when Rosemount (7-3) looked poised to take the lead.

The Irish got the ball back with 5:08 to go and drove to the Minnetonka 39-yard line before Brown salted away the Skipper victory with his second interception.

“They always teach us in the Cover 3 we have to come up hard on the slant and come up quickly,” Brown said. “They tell us to fight for the ball and I know if I can fight for the ball, it’s mine.”

Minnetonka (6-4) kept the ball for nearly nine minutes to start the game. Wide receiver Mitch Klass capped off the Skippers’ opening 16-play drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Trent Hollings to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

After it recovered a Rosemount fumble, Minnetonka had to go just 23 yards to score its second touchdown. Quarterback Aaron Syverson closed out the first half by finding Jackson Owens over the middle for an 8-yard score. Syverson completed 15 of 17 passes for 151 yards.

But Minnetonka’s most important drive might have been one it didn’t finish with a touchdown. After Brown’s interception at the 1-yard line, the Skippers drove 90 yards and used up seven minutes, which led to the Irish getting just one fourth-quarter possession.

"I’m proud of our offense for how they were able to keep the ball when we needed them to,” coach Dave Nelson said. “Rosemount’s a good football team that’s well-coached and knows how to win, so it’s a big win for us.”

Rosemount scored late in the second quarter when Jake Ratzlaff caught a backward pass from quarterback Trevor Amborst and threw the ball to a wide open Christian Graske for a 43-yard touchdown.

Nathan Whiting’s 24-yard field goal to open the second half pulled the Irish within 13-10.

Minnetonka quarterback Aaron Syverson (6) got his pass off despite pressure from Rosemount’s Nick Magnuson (7). Magnuson's passing helped the Skippers' control the ball in the second half and preserve a 13-10 victory. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Minnetonka quarterback Aaron Syverson (6) got his pass off despite pressure from Rosemount’s Nick Magnuson (7). Magnuson's passing helped the Skippers' control the ball in the second half and preserve a 13-10 victory. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

First report

Minnetonka’s defense intercepted two second-half passes to thwart Rosemount’s comeback attempt and secure a 13-10 victory Friday in the Class 6A playoffs.

It was the second consecutive year that the Skippers put an end to the Irish’s season.

Minnetonka kept the ball for nearly nine minutes to start the game. Wide receiver Mitch Klass capped off the Skippers’ opening 16-play drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Trent Hollings to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

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